Material-breaking device



June 6, 1939. HARR|$ 2,161,041

MATERIAL-BREAKING DEVICE Filed April 5, 1954 4 Shets-Sheet 1 J1me 6, 1939.

A. HARRIS MATER IAL-BREAKING DEVICE Filed April 5, 1934 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 June 6, 1939. A. HARRIS MATERIAL-BREAKING DEVICE Filed April 5, 1934 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 June 6, 1939. A. HARRIS MATERIAL-BREAKING DEVICE Filed April 5, 1934 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 mm M R mm N Patented June 6, 1939 2,161,041 MATERIAL-BREAKING DEVICE Allyn Harris, Chicago, Ill.,

assignor to Gardox Corporation, a corporation of Illinois Application April 5, 1934, Serial No. 719,113

15 Claims.

This invention relates to the cartridge type of material breaking device, of which there may be several varieties and is concerned more particularly with means for holding such devices in proper relation to the work to be performed.

Specifically, it is an object of the invention to provide in conjunction with a cartridge of the type mentioned means for preventing ejection of the cartridge from the work in which it may be positioned.

The invention is also concerned with an improved means and method for the breaking of material.

Referring to the drawings,

Figure l is a view in longitudinal section illustrating a cartridge formed in the material to be broken, said device having associated therewith means for overcoming the normal tendency to eject the cartridge from the drill hole, such means being in accordance with one form of the present invention.

Figure 2 is a sectional line 2--2 of Figure 1.

Figure 3 is a View in longitudinal section illustrating the discharge end of a cartridge such as view taken along the shown in Figure 2, but showing a difierent arrangement of the sealing devices which form the subject of the invention.

Figure 4 is a view in side elevation illustrating the modified form of the invention.

Figure 5 is a detailed view in side elevation illustrating a modification applicable to the structure shown in Figure 4.

Figure 6 is a view partly in longitudinal section and partly in side elevation illustrating ap plication of the invention 0 the use of ordinary explosives.

Figure '7 is an end elevation taken from the line 'I--'! of Figure 6.

44 Figure 8 is a transverse line 8-8 of Figure 6.

Figure 9 is a transverse section taken along line 9-9 of Figure 6.

Figure 10 is a view partly in side elevation and g partly in longitudinal section illustrating a cartridge having one form of the invention associated therewith.

Figure 11 illustrates a further development of the idea shown in Figure 10.

50 Figure 12 illustrates a further modification of the invention as disclosed in Figures 10 and 11.

Figure 13 is a view in longitudinal section illustrating an entirely new method and means for applying a rupturing force to material to be 65 broken.

section taken along Figure 14 is a sectional view of the coal face illustrating the method of application of the device shown in Figure 13.

Figure 15 is a view partly in section and partly in elevation illustrating a slight modification of 5 the device shown in Figure 13.

In the use of blasting cartridges, other than ordinary explosives, much difliculty has been experienced in holding the cartridges firmly to their work until the same has been fully performed. 19 In the case of the breaking of coal, the cartridge drill hole just slightly of the cartridge, and ordinarily the discharge end is positioned adjacent the rear or closed end of the drill hole. Ed Under these circumstances the discharge of the cartridge results in the instantaneous development of pressure around the cartridge in all parts of the drill hole. The only direction in which the certridge is free to move is the axial direc 5 tion leading toward the open end of the drill hole and this is a rather frequent result owing to the development of pressure between the closed end of the drill hole and the adjacent end of the ,a cartridge. cylinder and piston, with the drill hole representing the cylinder and the cartridge positioned therein representing the piston. Various forms of mechanical means have been developed with a view to anchoring the cartridge in some manner 59 to the material in which it is positioned. Such means, however, have been largely ineffective.

In this connection it should be pointed out that the element of time is of considerable importance,

a certain definite, though infinitely small period 35 of time being required for the energy released from the cartridge to perform the work for which it is intended. It is only necessary therefore to prevent or resist momentarily the force tending to eject the cartridge from the drill hole in order to permit the cartridge a sufficient amount of time in which to apply its energy to the work.

In the absence of special provision, however, it

is found that the force tending to eject the car tridge from the drill hole has an opportunity to act and often does act before the energy released from the cartridge is able to perform its intended work.

According to the present invention, there is provided means, not for anchoring the cartridge to the material in which it. is positioned, but for preventing occurrence of the condition which resuits in movement of the cartridge outwardly of the drill hole. In other words, the present invention aims to prevent, momentarily at least.

The situation is much the same as a the adjacent end wall of the drill hole.

the building up of any substantial amount of pressure between the end of the cartridge and the closed end of the drill hole, thereby eliminating the condition which has been the cause of the trouble.

Referring to Figure 1, there is shown a material breaking device positioned in a drill hole I!) formed in some material to be broken. The cartridge as shown consists of a cylindrical body I having a terminal cap 2 and a discharge cap 3. The terminal cap is provided with an inlet 4 leading to the main chamber 5 of the cartridge. A rupturable disc 6 is positioned between the discharge cap 3 and the body of the cartridge and serves to retain the charge introduced into the chamber 5 until such charge has reached a desired predetermined value. Upon failure of the disc 6 the charge is permitted to escape through the several radial ports I of the discharge cap. The charge of energy may consist of compressed air or other gas, but it should be understood that the present invention is not particularly concerned either with the physical form of the cartridge or of the type of energy employed therein.

The discharge cap is provided with a circumierential slot 8 in which there is positioned an expandible steel spring member 9. The member 9 is preferably a flat steel coil spring capable of being contracted to a diameter which will lie within the confines of the discharge cap 3 and of automatically expanding to a diameter substantially greater than that of the discharge cap. Thus, as shown, the expandible spring member 9 has adjusted itself to occupy the entire diameter of the drill hole It, as illustrated more particularly in Figure 2. It will be observed that although the cartridge rests upon the bottom of the drill hole, the entire space surrounding the cartridge throughout the remainder of the 360 of its circumference is occupied by the spring member 9. Under these conditions the high pressure gas discharged from the several ports i in the discharge cap is prevented from reaching the space between the end of the discharge cap and It will be understood, of course, that it is not essential that a tight seal be provided between the member 9 and the surrounding wall of the drill hole, it being sufficient to merely block the free and instantaneous passage of high pressure gas to the end of the drill hole. This provides the necessary time interval mentioned above within which the cartridge is able to accomplish the intended work.

If desired, a similar expanding device may be provided on the terminal cap 2 as indicated at l2 in Figure 1. If such provision is made, it is apparent that the energy released from the cartridge will be confined in the bore hole between the two expanding devices.

According to Figure 3, there is provided a second expanding device l3 positioned on the discharge cap on the opposite side of the discharge port I from the device 9. Thus, the discharge is confined to a very small space within the drill hole defined by the expanding devices 9 and I3.

Referring to Figure 4 there is shown a cartridge I having terminal cap 2 and discharge cap I4 positioned in a drill hole l0 formed in some material H. In this case the discharge cap .is provided with a rod 15 which carries on its end opposite the discharge cap a suitable head iii. The purpose of this arrangement is two-fold. First, to definitely space the discharge cap from the end wall of the drill hole, and secondly to provide in the form of the head l6 an abutmentsurface on which discharged gas may act in a direction to hold the cartridge in working position. The spacing of the discharge cap from the end wall of the drill hole obviously results in the formation of a much larger chamber between the point of discharge and the end of the drill hole in which pressure must be built up before the cartridge can possibly be ejected. 0wing to this larger volume it is-apparent that a greater time interval will be required to produce in the end of the drill hole the amount of pressure required to eject the cartridge. The forward face of the head l6 also provides a surface on which the discharged gas may act in a direction to hold the cartridge in position. It is appreciated, of course, that this forward face of the head I6 is offset in eilect by the opposed surface of the discharge cap I4, the two surfaces tending to neutralize. It is also recognized that the rear face of the head l6 presents much the same situation as an ordinary cartridge of the form shown in Figure l. A different action results, however, where the head I6 is substantially spaced from the discharge cap I as indicated.

According to Figure 5, the head ii of Figure 4 may take the form of the head l1 shown in Figure 5, with a slot 8 and an expanding device 9 similar to that shown in Figures 1 and 3.

Referring to Figure 6, there is shown an alternative form of sealing device for preventing the development of pressure between the end of a cartridge and the adjacent end wall of the drill hole. As here shown, the sealing device takes the form of a substantially flexible member designed to function in somewhat the same manner as a cup leather. In other words, the device is intended to expand under pressure for the purpose of sealing the drill hole and preventing the escape of pressure around the expanding device into the closed end of the hole.

This form of the invention is here shown in connection with an explosive device consisting of a supporting member [8 designed to receive explosive charges 24 and having heads l9 and 20 for confining these charges against axial movement. The head I9 is provided with an opening through which the shot firing leads 23 may pass rearwardly to any desired point. The head 20 carries the pressure responsive expanding element 2| which is secured thereto by means of a bolt 22. The design of this pressure responsive member is such that it normally tends to engage the wall of the drill hole throughout its entire circumference. Thus, when pressure is developed in the drill hole, such pressure acts upon the expanding member 2| causing it to move more firmly into sealing engagement with the wall of the drill hole and preventing the escape of any substantial amount of pressure into the chamber formed between the end of the device and the adjacent end wall of the drill hole.

Figure 10 illustrates the application of an expanding device 2| to the discharge cap 21 of a cartridge similar to that shown in Figure 1. The expanding device is backed up and retained in position by a supporting nut 29 which should be of approximately the same outside diameter as the cartridge in order to provide the maximum of support for the flexible member.

According to Figure 11 there is provided a second flexible member 30 secured to the discharge cap 21 as indicated at 3!. Thus, with the expanding members 30 and 2| located on opposite sides of the discharge ports, there is provided a small sealed chamber in the drill hole in which the energy of the cartridge is discharged. The function of the second flexible member 30 is to prevent the escape of pressure axially along the cartridge toward the open end of the drill hole.

The same purpose may be accomplished as illustrated in Figure 12 by providing a second flexible member 2| on the terminal cap of the cartridge.

Referring to Figure 13, there is shown a material breaking device which in some respects is a development of the sealing device described in the preceding figures. This device consists of a supply pipe 32 for high pressure gas or any other suitable form of energy, the pipe having a plurality of discharge apertures 31. One end of the pipe is fitted with a sealing device consisting of a flexible and expansible member 3! supported on one side by a shoulder 33 and on the opposite side by retaining and backing nut 29. This member 35 is subject to expansion under the influence of pressure exerted on the forward surface thereof. At some point along the supply pipe at some distance from the end thereof there may be provided a second shoulder 33, a second expansible member 3| and backing nut 29. The supply pipe 32 may be extended any suitable distance and as shown in Figure 14 may be connected as at 38 to a supply pipe 39 having connection with any suitable source of supply. This device as just described may be positioned in a drill hole as indicated at it in Figure 15 with expansible elements 3i designed to have sealing engagement with the surrounding walls of the drill hole. Ii, however, the material to be broken is of such a character that the walls of the drill hole do not present a sufiiciently smooth surface to provide a satisfactory seal in conjunction with the expansible elements 3|, then an auxiliary cylinder 38 as illustrated in Figure 13 may be employed. This cylinder may be formed of any suitable material such as fibre or light weight metal, the object being to provide in conjunction with the expansible elements 3| a sealed chamber in which a charge of high pressure gas or other form of energy may be introduced. Preferably, the cylinder 34 is made of such material that it is capable of expanding to some extent, sufiicient at least to engage and receive support from the walls of the drill hole. Thus, in the situation illustrated in Figures 13 and 15, there is provided between the expansible elements a chamber in which pressure may be introduced progressively until the rupturing point of the surrounding material has been reached.

The method of application of the device to the breaking of coal is illustrated in Figure 14. It will be understood, however, that the device might be used in a progressive manner, that is, for breaking out first the forward portion of the face and thereafter setting the device deeper into the drill hole for breaking out the rear portion of the face.

I claim:

1. A material breaking device adapted to be positioned in a drill hole formed in material to be broken, said device comprising spaced expansible members engageable with the wall of the drill hole and operable in response to pressure exerted between them to establish sealed engagement with the walls of the drill hole, thereby providing a chamber for the introduction of compressed gas or other energy medium, means for connecting said expansible members to prevent separation by the energy medium, and means for introducing an energy medium into such chamber while positioned in a drill hole.

2. In a blasting cartridge, a container for receiving a blasting charge and adapted for insertion in a blast hole drilled in the material to be broken, discharge means for said container at the inner end of the container, and an expansible metallic spring member embodied in the cartridge and associated with said discharge means for sealing the walls of the blast hole between the inner closed end of the latter and the inner end of the cartridge.

3. In a blasting cartridge, an indestructible container for receiving and confining a blasting charge after being inserted in a blast hole drilled in the material to be broken, discharge means for said container at the inner end of the container, expansible sealing means embodied in the cartridge by attachment with said discharge means for sealing the walls of the blast hole between the inner closed end of the latter and the inner end of the cartridge, means at the outer end of the cartridge for introducing a blasting charge in the positioned cartridge and sealing means for sealing the walls of the blast hole at the outer end of the cartridge attached to said charge introducing means, said discharge means discharging the blasting charge in the space between said sealing means.

4. In a blasting cartridge, an indestructible container for receiving and confining a blasting charge after being inserted in a blast hole drilled in the material to be broken, discharge means for said container at the inner end of the container, means embodied in the cartridge by attachment with said discharge means for sealing the walls of the blast hole substantially completely around the periphery of the cartridge between the inner closed end of said hole and the inner end of the cartridge, means at the outer end of the cartridge for introducing a blasting charge into the positioned cartridge, and expansible sealing means for sealing the walls of the blast hole at the outer end of the cartridge attached to said charge introducing means, said discharge means discharging the blasting charge in the space between said sealing means, said sealing means being expanded into sealing engagement with the walls of the blast hole by the pressure of the blasting charge.

5. In a blasting cartridge, a container for receiving a blasting charge and adapted for insertion in a blast hole drilled in the material to be broken, a discharge cap for said container at the inner end of the-container, and expansible sealing means embodied in the discharge cap for sealing the walls of the blast hole at opposite sides of the point of discharge of the blast.

6. In a blasting device, a hollow receiver adapted for insertion in a blast hole drilled in the material to be broken, sealing means fastened to the inner and outer ends of said receiver to prevent relative axial movement therebetween but to permit radial expansion of the means into engagement with the walls of the blast hole for confining the space surrounding the receiver between said sealing means, discharge means for connecting the interior of said receiver with said space, and means for introducing a blasting pressure into said receiver while the latter is positioned in a blast hole.

'7. In a material breaking device adapted to be positioned in a drill hole formed in the material to be broken, said device comprising spaced sealing members engageable with the walls of the drill hole and operable in response to pressure exerted on them to establish sealed engagement with the walls of the drill hole, thereby providing a chamber for the introduction of a blasting pressure, and means for introducing a blasting pressure into said chamber while it is positioned in a drill hole.

8. In combination, in a blasting cartridge, a container for receiving a blasting charge and insertable in a blast hole drilled in the material to be broken, a discharge orifice for said container through which the blasting charge is dischargeable, and means embodied in the cartridge structure and insertable with the cartridge as a unit within the blast hole and including a rod of reduced diameter to provide a space between the inner ends of the container and the blast hole and an expansible sealing means attached to the inner end of said rod and adapted to co-act with the walls of the hole, for completely sealing the space between the inner end of the container and the inner closed end of the blast hole for preventi ing fiow of pressure from said discharge orifice inwardly of the hole beyond said space.

9. A material breaking device adapted to be positioned in a drill hole formed in said material to be broken, said device comprising spaced expansible members engageable with the wall of the drill hole and operable in response to pres sure exerted between them to establish sealed engagement with the walls of the drill hole, thereby providing a chamber for the introduction of compressed gas or other medium, a discharge pipe for spacing said expansible members, and means for supplying an energy medium to said discharge pipe.

10. A material breaking device adapted to be positioned in a drill hole formed in material to be broken, said device comprising spaced expansible members engageable with the wall of the drill hole and operable in response to pressure exerted between them to establish sealed engagement with the walls of the drill hole, thereby providing a chamber for the introduction of compressed gas or other medium, means for spacing said expansible members and for con fining an energy medium in said chamber until a predetermined work performing pressure is attained and for suddenly liberating said medium into said chamber at such pressure, and means for introducing an energy medium into said confining means while positioned within a drill hole.

11. A material breaking device adapted to be positioned in a drill hole formed in material to be broken, said device comprising an independent rupturable liner for the drill hole, spaced members expansibly engageable with the liner for forming therewith a chamber to receive an energy medium, and means for introducing an energy medium into said chamber which is liberated into the material to be broken by the rupturing of said liner.

12. A material breaking device adapted to be positioned in a drill hole formed in material to be broken, said device comprising a rupturable liner positioned in and receiving support from the walls of the drill hole, spaced members expansible into peripheral engagement with the liner for forming therewith a chamber to receive an energy medium, and means for introducing an energy medium into said chamber and for maintaining said elements in proper spaced relation.

13. The combination including an indestructible blasting cartridge adapted to be positioned in a drill hole formed in material to be broken and having a discharge cap at one end provided with a charge release orifice, and resilient seals attached to the cap on opposite sides of the discharge orifice for effecting a seal between the cartridge and the walls of the drill hole.

14. In a blasting device, a tubular receiver adapted for insertion in a blast hole drilled in the material to be broken, sealing means for confining a space between the ends of the receiver within the blast hole bore including a sleeve insertablc in the blast hole and surrounding said receiver, sealing deviceslattached to the receiver and engaging the interior of said sleeve, said sleeve cooperating with said sealing devices to provide said confined space, discharge means for connecting the interior of said receiver with said space, and means for introducing a blasting charge within said receiver.

15. A blasting cartridge adapted to be inserted in a bore-hole drilled in material to be broken; comprising a container for receiving a blasting charge and having a discharge orifice at one end through which the blasting charge is released, a rod having a sealing means at one end adapted to substantially fit the bore-hole and attached at its other end to said aforementioned end of said container, said sealing means serving to prevent a tendency for said cartridge to be forced out of the bore-hole upon release of said charge when the cartridge is placed in the bore-hole with said sealing means adjacent the bottom thereof.

ALLYN HARRIS. 

